Surgical splint



July 12, 1932. J. J. ETTINGER SURGICAL SI LINT Filed Nov. 30. 1927 R. mN w m w H a L I I J ATTORNEY.

Patented July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES JOE J. ETTINGER, or WARSAW,INDIANA.

SURGICAL SPLINT Application filed November 30, 1927. $eria1 no. 2363323.

The invention relates to surgical splints and it is particularlydirected to such splints as are adapted for use in connection with thereduction of a fractured clavicle.

The object of the invention is to provide a durable and efficient splintwhich is adjustable for accommodation to various persons.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure1 is a plan view of the splint; Flg. 2 a side elevational view of thesplint; Fig. 3 an enlarged plan view of the splint having the padsremoved; Fig. 4 a side View of the same and Fig. 5 a front elevationalview of 16 the arm pads.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the invention the splintframe consists of a transverse plate 1 and a plate 2 secured by therivets 3 to the plate 2 .and depending therefrom. The frame is thus Tshaped or having the form of a cross. A series of apertures 4 is formedin the plate 2 through which the cord 5 is laced for securing the pad 6to the back of the plate 2. Apertures 7 are also formed in the plate 1through which the cord 8 is laced for securing the pad 8* to the back ofthe plate 1. The pads 6 and 8 may be secured to the plates in anysuitable manner since they are intended to protect the wearer frominjury or discomfort, and the manner of their attachment to the platesis un important. 7

A tape 9 is secured by the rivet 10 to the lower end of the plate 2 andattached to one end of the tape is a buckle 11 and at the opposite endof the tape is secured a suitable cleat 12.

At each end of the plate 1 are formed two slots 13 and 14 through whichthe bolts 15 15 are extended, the heads of the bolts bearing against theback of the plate. Each bolt is provided with a rectangular portionwhich is engaged in the slot so that the bolt will not turn in the slotbut may be moved along the slot to any desired point. A cleat 16 issupported on the bolts 15 and the nuts 17 on said bolts, when tightened,firmly hold the cleat against the front side of the plate 1 in anyposition with respect to the slots that the cleat may be adjusted. Thiscleat is prefera ably folded at its opposite ends to forin a hook shapedmember at each "end to which the buckles 18 are'-conne'cted respe ctively. The cleat is preferably somewhat resilient so that when thenuts17 are tightened the folded portions 16 of the cleat will firmly engagethe plate 1 and tend to lock the cleat in its adjusted position on theplate.

The cleat 19 at the opposite end of the plate 1 is similar in allrespects to the cleat 16 and is supported on the bolts 15 andtightenedagainst the plate by the nuts 20.' y The cleat also carries the buckles21 at its opposite ends.

A pad 22 havinga'tape 23 secured thereto; is adapted to be passed overthe shoulder and under the arm of the patient, the ends ofthe tape 23being engaged in the buckles 18 and drawn up as much as necessityrequires to secure apposition of the fractured parts of the clavicle.The other pad 24 is similarly sup- 7 ported over the other shoulder andunder the other arm of the patient and connected to the buckles on thecleat 19 to firmly position the splint on the back of the patient. Thetape 9 is passed about the body of the patient and drawn up as tight asmay be desired to anchor the lower end of the splint.

In Fig. 1, the pad 22 is shown connected to both buckles 18 and the pad24 is shown detached from the upper buckle 21 and depending from thelower buckle 21. a

By adjusting the cleats laterally in the slots various breadths ofshoulders may be accommodated and the pads 22 and 24 applied thereto.Each cleat may be set at an angle within certain limits when suchangularity is desirable to secure proper apposition of the fracturedparts. Attached to each pad 22 and 24 is a buckle 25 to which theopposite ends of a tape 26 may be secured. A pad '27 is secured to thetape 26 and inuse bears against the chest of the patient. This tape 26holds the front side of the pads in the proper position on theshoulders.

The frame of the splint formed by the plates 1 and 2, is preferably madeof aluminum since that metal is relatively light in weight and isreadily maintained in a cleanly condition. The arm pads 22 and 24 areinterchange- 7 justably engaged #by the buckles.

able if desired'and either may be replaced by a new pad at small cost.The splint, of course, may be used for a fracture of either clavicle.

What I claim is:

A surgical splint comprising a flat T- shaped padded frame, two barslaterally adjustably mbuntedjadj'acent opposite-remi's respectively ofthe cross member of the frame, means to press the bars in adjustedposition onto the cross member, each wbarJbei'x'lg'folded at itsopposite ends to form buckle-receiving members, said folded portionsbeing adapted to'engage the oross'member and tending to lock the bars tosaid member "and a ;-In w1tness whereof.l have'hereunto subscribed myname this 19th day of November,

. 5 40B JPETTINGER.

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